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On top of logistics, today many children have food allergies or are following special diets. It can't be fun for them to watch the rest of the class indulge while they eat the non-gluten, vegan snack their parents have provided. There is also a good case to be made for less sugar in our children's diets. So, perhaps it is time to let go of the class birthday treat and find a fun alternative. Here are a few ideas:
Class Birthday Book I
Instead of treats, the child brings a special book to add to the class library. The child or the teacher writes who gave the book and what birthday he or she is celebrating on the inside front cover. The child or teacher reads the book to the class (or a favorite part if it is a chapter book).
Class Birthday Book II
Each child in the class makes a page for the birthday child's Birthday Book. A page consists of a picture and a positive statement about the birthday child - something that is admired or appreciated. The birthday child makes the cover. The teacher makes a page too and all the pages are bound in a special book for the birthday child to take home.
Birthday Game
Birthday child gets to choose a game for the whole class to play. For older children, the birthday child could lead the game if he or she chooses.
Birthday Lunch
The birthday child may invite family members to eat with him or her. If possible, there is a special birthday lunch table. The special table could have a table cloth and a vase of flowers to make it a little more special. Another variation is to let the birthday child eat at the birthday table with friends of his or her choice, possibly from other classes.
Popcorn
Almost everyone can eat plain popcorn and it is still a treat. Maybe not as good as cupcakes, but still fun. You could have a couple helpers pop some in an air popper at recess and then have it as a birthday treat.
What special thing do you do for birthdays? Feel free to share your ideas!
You can find more birthday ideas at the Birthday Linky Party at Sunny Days in Second Grade!
65 comments:
Can I just say I love this idea. My son has a peanut allergy and I am so worried about when he goes to school. As a teacher myself I know that PB is served daily in the cafeteria and also that other parents bring treats without considering allergies. People... you can kill my kid! It's really annoying because many people think why should my kids not be allowed a PB sandwich because yours can't. Well... my child could die from it.. if it was your child who could die from it would you even want it in the room? Never less... if your child can't eat a PB sandwich are they going to die? It just annoys me. Same with cupcakes... many kids are allergic to eggs. =) Sorry... it's just my soap box. I agree... no more cupcakes.
Jennifer - my heart goes out to you. As if it isn't hard enough to keep kids safe these days and then to have to deal with something as frightening as that! I have never had a student with an allergy as serious as your son's but my daughter has been in "no peanut" classrooms and summer camps and it is really not a big deal, in my opinion to skip the PB&J.
Heck, just let them all get a drink from the water fountain. What seriously lame ideas. A birthday is a special day and the birthday girl or boy should be allowed whatever celebration he wishes. If special dietary requirements of some children are present, provide the parents with these restrictions and make it a requirement that those children be accommodated if a birthday treat is to be brought for the child's birthday, but don't rain on the parade of a special day.
Funny how negative comments are always left by "Anonymous." You are of course entitled to your opinion...but considering the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children these days, maybe we should encourage children to find ways to have fun without a sugar overload.
I hate those giant cookie cakes. Cutting one of those so everyone has an equal piece is a pain.
I don't mind cupcakes too much because they are easy to pass out. I haven't had any children with allergies, but I will next year (eggs).
I wish parents would just bring in some mixed fruit or fruit bars. Yummy and different!
The school I work in requires packaged foods. Nothing homemade. With that being said, last year for birthdays I had parents that were creative and healthy! I had apples with Carmel cups, unopened trail mix that we made in the room, gogurts(frozen), and jello/pudding cups!
I think parents can get creative if they are willing! I have also found putting these suggestions iny back to school packet has helped parents as well! Keep these ideas flowing!
I teach in Ontario, Canada. It is now law here that children with peanut allergies be protected, therefore no peanut products in public schools. We also have a Healthy Schools policy, so fatty/sugary foods are limited, but not outlawed. There are still the occasional cupcakes, but I've had parents bring fruit bouquets or kebabs, which the kids love. Some kids have also brought a birthday book for the class. There are a lot of fun and creative ideas out there!
I agree with anonymous above who said these ideas are lame. They would be great supplemental ideas, but in place of? No, I don't think so.
I have 2 children in my classroom with allergy concerns. We encourage healthy snacks, but will accept what ever a parent provides. And we do make accommodations for the 2 students without penalizing the birthday child. Yes, it is possible to do so without much effort.
And to the first person who left a comment ... honestly, I don't want your child to die, but if my daughter desires a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, she will have one. It's not a personal attack on you or your child. Having conversations at school and setting up peanut-free zones is possible.
So while I've never left my comment as "anonymous" before, including when I've disagreed with a writer, I feel the need to do so today.
Anonymous #2,
You could have left your real name...it is only a discussion with different opinions, not an assault on anyone's character. I am fine with a lively discussion, if I wasn't I would simply delete comments that don't agree with my perspective instead of responding to them.
My son just celebrated his 8th birthday on the 28th of February. I sent in Kool aid bottles and a bag of cuties (madarin oranges kids can peel themselves). I think everyone was happy and the sugar in the koolaid was enough for them to think they had a special treat...
I have a picky eater and for a long time peanut butter crackers or sandwich was all she would eat, so I do not think outlawing peanut butter at public schools is an option, but we do have to make good accommodations.
In my class this year I have a student who does not celebrate holidays, a peanut allergy and a low sugar diet student, but before even knowing I had these students I had my principal approve for my plan for "Monthly Snacks" where 2 birthday parents brought in juice and a snack once a month for our class in honor of their child's birthday. I provided them with a list of approved snacks once I learned of our dietary restrictions. This worked for us because some parents can not afford to do elaborate things for a class of 20. In past years I have had the two or three students have pizza, chips, cake, and goody bags, and others nothing, this works much better. I have also had the parent that just shows up at lunch and starts passing out food before even consulting me. My students' safety is a top concern, so this upset me a lot, especially after she continued to do even when the administration told her to stop.
One of my friends in high school died because of a reaction to a product that was not correctly labeled as containg peanuts (thankfully this did not happen at school) However, I cannot understand how some parents are offended about not being able to send peanut butter sandwiched to school with their kids. If it was your kid with a life threatening allergy you would want the same.
I think parents who are annoyed with peanut-free schools are ignorant as to the effects. It is not simply a rash or a cough. It is a matter of life and death.
I agree that the ideas suggested in the post aren't all that great, but more a good starting point to thinking beyond cupcakes. I like the idea of a fruit bouquet though :)
These are fantastic ideas. A birthday is special because of the love and happiness that surrounds the person on their special day. I don't think the ideas are "lame" at all. In fact, I have 2 kids in my class this year who pass on every single treat I give to the kids...they just don't have a sweet tooth! They would love a book instead. And we need to remember the birthday doesn't end at 2:00, parents are free to celebrate at home however they see fit! :)
Thanks for linking up!
Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade
I have heard many sides to the peanut-debate before. For some, the only thing they can afford is peanut butter. What are they to send if they can't afford anything else? For others, it is not peanuts so much as a restriction in general that is the issue. They believe that if they accommodate one allergy then they will eventually be required to accommodate all allergies.
I am not sure where I stand on the debate, I understand all the sides and agree less-sugar in classrooms is better but I also feel that birthdays are special and should be treated as such.
I love this idea for a linky party as it gives us time to discuss and share the many options available.
Misty
Think, Wonder, & Teach
Rachel,
"but considering the increasing numbers of overweight and obese children these days, maybe we should encourage children to find ways to have fun without a sugar overload."
School lunches are a much bigger cause of overweight and obese children (hence why poorer children on free school lunch programs are overweight...because their parents can't afford healthy REAL food). Thirty (depending on how many children are in the classroom) cupcakes per year does NOT cause overweight or obese children.
First of all, THANK YOU for the alternate ideas. I've been trying to come up with some. I have parents who aren't able to do anything and others who go all out. At the end of this year, I decided that we're doing one party each month and that's it. I know some parents won't be happy, but I think this will work better for my students individually and as a whole.
About the peanut butter debate. It was easy for me to personally accomodate a peanut allergy in my classroom 2 years ago. I just didn't eat it. I dealt with the nasty parent comments like, "He loves peanut butter, and if he wants a peanut butter sandwich I'll send one." Many of the parents were accommodating, thank goodness. This past October I discovered I'm now allergic to peanut butter. Not only that, I react to SOME products that say "May contain traces of peanuts." (I never know which ones.) AND if someone touches peanut butter then touches something, and then I touch that item and touch my face or arm, I break out. Peanut allergies are scary. I never know what I'll react to. I think it's important to protect our children and teachers from something that could kill them.
Thanks again for the ideas! :)
My worst treat situation was a grandparent that brought in a small DQ ice cream cake and left it at the office for me to deal with. Those suckers are as hard as a rock. The cafeteria has all these health regulations and so they can't lend you a proper knife. I ended up leaving the cake out for an hour to soften it up and then cut it with a PLASTIC FORK. There wasn't nearly enough to go around and by the end I was scooping crunchies and melted ice cream onto plates. It was AWFUL.
I do have an objection to the peanut-free school but for different reasons than others. I find that those with a peanut allergy must be vigilant in only eating what is provided by their parents. If the school is supposed to be a peanut-free zone, folks get complacent. You can easily tell that pbj, pb crackers, etc contain peanuts, but how many parents in a peanut-free school would actually check the label on every single thing and make certain there is no peanut content/chance for peanut contamination? Very few... this, folks, is your deadly situation. "Everything in the school is peanut-free", the child thinks... and shares something with a peer that has hidden peanut content. If my child had a peanut allergy, he would not be eating ANYTHING that didn't pass through my hands.
I don't know what the answer is, but I wanted to share that.
Great ideas! I especially love the idea of donating a book and reading it in class.
Yes, every kid should be able to celebrate his/her birthday with cake. That's why you throw birthday parties. At home.
With 22 kids in a class and about 39 weeks of school, is an in-school cupcake party really necessary every other week?
I work in a Head Start program so sweets are limited to one party per month and one cupcake or small piece of cake in that party so when I saw that this post was "No More Cupcakes", it grabbed my attention. Now, I must say that I can agree with the anonymous nay-sayers in that the ideas presented in the post are a *little* boring but I love the ideas that came out in the comments. I will be implementing some of them this school year- even though I have only two birthdays this school year, I will use them for holiday parties.
I teach Pre-K and cupcakes are one of my biggest nightmares! They happen to be one of the messiest foods known to mankind!! At the beginning of the year I send home our school's nutrition guidelines for snacks; however, I know that all of my parents are NOT going to read it or abide by it. Fortunately, most parents at least ask before sending treats (usually just to know the number to send) and I can mention any food allergies or preferences then...and while I never suggest cupcakes, they occasionally make an appearance (and then stay all day ground into the carpet!) :) The kids' favorite treats are string cheese and fruit (and it doesn't have to be fancy -- half a banana or some apple slices). Among my worst birthday party treat experiences is the parent who insists on bringing professionally decorated sugar cookies that match the special plates, cups and napkins that she wants us to use. I haven't had the heart to tell her that the cookies are too big and too sweet and most end up in the trashcan...and these little kids don't notice that everything matches!
My daughter's birthday is on May Day. In Kindergarten, we brought packets of marigold seeds (4 for a dollar at the Dollar Tree) for her class. In first grade, we brought glow sticks, which were a HUGE hit two days later when the class went to the zoo and spent quality time in the nocturnal exhibit.
Can I just say that fruit, while healthy and delicious, doesn't work for everyone. My husband is allergic to some fruits. And I'm scared my son could develop the same allergy. My sister-in-law is allergic to all fruits and veggies. While their allergic reaction is not as sever as a peanut allergy, it's still uncomfortable.
I've sat here reading all of the pro & con peanut allergy comments & what many of you do not realize is that a person with a severe allergy to peanuts can have a life-threatening reaction to someone else who is sitting nearby eating a peanut butter sandwich! It isn't that anyone wants your kid to suffer by not being able to eat whatever they want, it's that the child with the allergy could DIE!
I was recently on an airplane where a woman got out a bag of trail mix that she had brought with her. As she began eating it, the person in the seat directly in front of her started choking & gasping. They were having a severe allergic reaction to the peanuts in the trail mix behind them! This isn't a petty preference, this could be the difference between life & death to someone else's child.
I've also read all of the comments on the peanut debate and I have to ask: Do any of you anti-peanut parents send your kids to school with band-aids on? Latex bandages, balloons, gloves, and-as we get older- condoms could kill my children, my sister, and me. We have to be constantly vigilant because no one ever thinks that birthday ballons can kill; it's ridiculous. And, much like peanuts, anything that has touched latex within 48 hours can cause a reaction. Glad to see that balloons weren't part of the alternatives listed!
If your child is that severely allergic to peanuts in thethe air or from any contact has it ever occured to you that the public may not be a safe place for them. Just homeschool and then you don't have to worry about someone making an innocent but careless mistake like people addressed above with traces of peanut being in a food. Also all allergies then should be addressed such as gluten(celiac's), dairy (cheese sticks won't work then) fruit, latex etc... until a child can understand the severity of their allergy you can't expect to completely burden our overworked and underpaid teachers with having to keep track of every little snack and lunch and trwat every student brings in
It is not that simple. Most kids with allergies must avoid not only the obvious allergens but the hidden ones as well. My gluten intlerent child cannot eat most cake frosting or even rice krispie treats. My nut allergic child cannot eat most boxed mixes, bakery goods or brands of chocolate chips. I could never expect another parent to follow those lengthy requirements. It is far too easy to make a mistake.
My daughter started kindergarten this year and while her school has made every effort to protect her the school is "nut aware" not "peanut free." Some of these comments posted from others I feel are ignorant and quite simply the writers just don't have a clue. Not only do we, as mothers, of peanut allergy children have to worry about our children having a reaction that could lead to death, we also have to deal with overcoming the natural segregation that occurs when our children have to sit at the "peanut free" tables while their friends sit else where. For comments to surface that make statements including "if my daughter desires a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, she will have one," makes me realize as a parent that there will always be some that quite simply will never understand. For my daughter you sending your child to school with that peanut butter and jelly sandwich could have the same affect that a child bring a loaded gun to school could have on another. So before posting comments that so blantantly show your ignorance on the subject, step back and put your self in the shoes of us battling allergies, it is just as deadly as cancer, and because of some, accidents can be just around the corner everyday.
I like these suggestions...especially the ones about the books (whether it's add a book to the class library or adding a book to the kid's personal library by getting a book for the student). The school I'm at doesn't allow birthday cakes/cupcakes/birthday snacks just so that nobody feels left out or obligated (financially). Some student's birthday fall during the holidays. However, the kids do sing the birthday song to the birthday student so they are recognized.
I personally can't give out candy to children, espcially for the candy holidays. I feel children get more than plenty of it without my help. I'm always looking for alternatives. For my son's birthday he took "sticky hands" that I got from Oriental Trading for about 10 cents each. For Halloween I give out glow sticks to trick-o-treaters, and we are the most popular house on the street. For Valentine's, the past couple of years I've given "silly bands" to my students, and my son has given them to his friends and classmates, but they're starting to go out of style.
Plus candy and esp. Cupcakes can be very expensive, I've found that I have saved a ton of money over the past few years by finding alternatives. Also by not buying candy, treats or cupcakes, for the children around me, it has helped me in my own dieting efforts, because I could never turn them down myself.
To be clear, I am not against children having candy, or sugary treats, I just believe that moderation is important, and children are already presented with more than plenty.
I usually give fruit bars or stickers and pencils. Pretzels are good too. Once for my turn at my daughter turn for mthly snack I was going to buy PB crackers and she told me she had a friend allergic to peanuts so she did not want to bring that. No problem. It is not an issue for my kids not to bring or have PB&J or snacks. But I do not think its other parents responsibility to make sure your kid doesn't get an allergic reaction. In the real world you are not going to be accommodated just because you are allergic....Oh and I am not anonymous.
If you have ever iced homemade cupcakes, you may have wondered how bakeries manage to ice their cupcakes so neatly with a smooth and flawless looking finish. The art of icing a cupcake does take a little practice, but knowing a few secrets will make it much easier, even for novice bakers. If you do run into any snags while practicing your technique, remember that you can always gently scrape off the icing and start again. Thanks.
My allergy student has special treats in the nurse's freezer that he can eat when we have food in the class. I do agree that cupcakes are a pain. I have done a birthday read aloud where the parent comes in for the last 20 min of the day to read a special book (or I do) and the snack they bring has to be eaten with out mess on the carpet (this limits a lot!). Most of the time they do fruit snacks, goldfish packets, mini cookies, or small apples. Then the students have juice after they have packed up and won't spill it:)
I get so frustrated will birthday treats etc. at school. I am a 4th grade teacher and with 25 students-we can literally be passing out treats several times each month. This takes instruction time,adds unnecessary calories, distracts from the learning environment and is frankly dangerous to kids with all kinds of allergies. All of this needs to be saved for AT HOME parties. Teachers have neither the time nor the desire to host classroom celebrations. ...and don't even get me started with the kid who shows up with 7 invites to their party and wants to pass them out to the chosen few....
A child's life trumps an inflexible parent and their picky eater. EVERY TIME
I loved all the alternative ideas, but at my school, we are there for learning. Parties and treats happen at home. I allow non-food treats such as a pencil, eraser, bookmark, or small toy to be passed out at day's end. I provide the b-day child with a crown, sticker, and a treat to take home. We all sing the b-day cha-cha and the class signs a card. I am not in favor of putting on a party for a child. That is a parent's responsibility. Too much of the above commentary is reflective of today's "entitlement" attitude. Students are NOT entitled to a birthday celebration at SCHOOL.
Spray on a small amount of cooking oil either over the nonstick cooking spray or, if you don't have nonstick cooking spray, by itself. According to EasyCupcakes.com, cooking oil tends to work better than nonstick cooking spray when it comes to keeping the cupcakes from sticking. Thanks.
Regards,
Not birthday related but - my son's preschool is a peanut and tree nut free zone, and he eats a peanut butter and honey sandwich at home every other day for lunch. On school lunch days, he brings a Sunbutter and honey sandwich - sunflower seed butter. He didn't even notice the difference. Tastes and looks a little different, but for many kids it's close enough. The jar says it's from a peanut and tree nut free facility on machines that also roast soybeans. Just wanted to offer the alternative we use.
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I understand that peanut allergies are dangerous. I do. But could someone please tell me what I am suppposed to feed my kid if he won't eat all the normal protein alternatives? My oldest has always been a good eater. Never had a problem with basically everything you put in front of him with the exception of eggs. My middle child would not eat anything but pb&j in her lunch until she got to about second grade. Now she is 11 and a great eater. My youngest who is 4 is just like his sister though worse. He won't eat meet cheese eggs beans or yogurt. He has to have protein. If not pb then what am I supposed to feed him? We have always made our children taste things. But you can't force a kid to eat what they don't like. I'm not trying to be insensitive to the plight of allergic kids parents. I genuinly would like to know what you expect of those of us on this end of it?
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I love the alternative ideas!! We send 'birthday goody bags' with non-edible treats for all the kids. This peanut debate is ridiculous though. Keep your kids safe at home with you; your child's safety is no one's responsibility but your own. I would never stop sending nut products. Send an alternative treat. Parents who feel the whole school should be nut free are nuts themselves. If my son had a serious allergy I wouldn't trust anyone to take care of it for me.
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Can we just take food out of the equation? Every social event or special celebration need not be centered around food! Some many obese children and those with allergies this day and age. How about extra time at recess (exercise!)? My students get to wear special birthday sunglasses! (I teach Prek)They stand up during circle time and we sing to the birthday boy/girl. They are the leader for the day, teacher's helper, etc. No junk or extra food. They also get to choose a fun activity for the class to do that day. It isnt food that makes children feel special...it's a good ol fashioned dose of special attention :)
I just read through all of these and not one time did I see anyone mention Diabetes. I have a son that will start Kindergarten this fall and he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a year ago just after he turned 4. It was probably the worst 3 days of my life as we stayed round the clock with him in the hospital having information shoved down our throat so that we could care for him at home. It is overwhelming how a diagnosis like this will change your life and your the life for your whole family. Diabetes is 24/7...no breaks, no vacations. I can very much appreciate the ideas and efforts of others to not stick a cupcake in my son's face every other day because it's someone's birthday. He can't eat those things often, really he shouldn't eat it at all.
I will continue to research and try to come up with some creative ways to help him celebrate his own birthday. Oh, and to make it a double whammy...he has a twin sister who is not diabetic. So, same birthday... she can have all the cake she wants and he can have just a sliver...not an easy thing to explain to a little one.
Thank you for these ideas. I think they are great and certainly an alternative for my kids and our situation.
My daughter has to eat gluten free. Her kindergarden year was such a nightmare with dealing with her food allergy we decide to homeschool after that. She went to half day kindergarden, so the lunch room wasn't even a factor. I would have loved for her teacher to have taken the stance of 'no cupcakes' or 'no extra food in general.'
I can't imagine if she had an allergy as serious as peanuts. One parent wrote that if their child had a peanut allergy 'their kid wouldn't eat anything that didn't pass through their hands.' That's great in theory. You can't be with your kid every second of the day. Young children can be convinced food is safe for them when someone older (and without a clue) tries to do so. No amount of prep work on a parents part can save your kid from every convincing argument by a camp councilor or friends' older siblings.
I teach at a healthy food school and we have snack every day. Parents are very creative for birthday treats. The kids love fruit kabobs, ants on a log, sugar free chocolate pudding cups with pretzel sticks, sugar free frozen fruit bars, etc. one mom made fruit wands- grapes for the entire length of a skewer with a piece of starfruit on the top. they were so cute and the kids loved them. another mom made fruit rainbows with all types of cut up fruit on a plate with yogurt clouds for dipping. she also did "snow covered mountains"- strawberries with the tops cut off and turned upside down. she had them dip the strawberry in yogurt and then dip it in shredded coconut for snow. adorable healthy and delicious. At Halloween, she also did "spider crackers"- put some cream cheese in between 2 round crackers,, stick pretzel sticks in the sides for legs and raisin eyes. It was a fun way to celebrate without having candy. The kids are used to eating healthy at school so they don't even miss cupcakes. Have those at home if you want them!
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Children who are overweight/obese are this way generally have parents who are too spineless to say no to their own kids - or they simply don't care. My daughter eats treats in moderation, and is of a perfectly normal weight. I think we need to stop punishing normal-weight kids simply bec. some parents are too lazy or spineless to care about their child's weight.
Funny - I grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, and we had FAR more treats that the kids do now. The problem of obesity/being overweight was much smaller than it is now. The problem isn't treats; it's that parents either are too busy to care or are too spineless to set limits for their children. PERIOD.
Another idea on the popcorn front, you can make popcorn more special by making it into sort of a rice crispy treat and add some mini m&m's or other small soft candy!
Have fun!
Janine
I have two things to add to the endless peanut comments (by the way, the article is on how to use alternatives to cupcakes, not debating whether schools are to be peanut-free or not; just incase anyone missed the point)
1. many people commented "if it's as serious as peanuts, anyone can be anaphylactic to anything, that means that you can be just as likely to die from strawberries as from peanuts. The main difference is how common peanut allergies are and the fact that peanuts are oily which makes it harder for children to properly wash the proteins off their hands (which is really what we need to focus our time on).
2. Many people are concerned about their child not eating any other form of protein. An adult only needs 2 servings of protein daily which means you can take care of your child's protein needs at breakfast, dinner, or afternoon snacks without having to bring peanuts to school. The same can apply for eggs if someone in your class is allergic to them. Part of the reason North America has more of a weight problem than other countries is our obsession with including animal-based proteins in every meal.
By the way, my name is Sarah, I am only posting this as Anonymous because it takes too much work to create a new account
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www.brfe.net
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I usually bring grapes, goldfish, pretzels, gogurts.. it doesn't have to be cupcakes and it doesn't have to be boring!!
I agree with alternatives to cupcakes. Not only because of the allergy and nutrition issues (we don't allow homemade treats and ingredient lists are required), but because it is typically a waste of money. Parents buy cupcakes with the ton of frosting that turns everyone's face colors and the kids just lick the frosting and throw out the cake part. Fruit bouquets or something else is a better option.
The other thing that is typically banned which I would rather see is "treats" that aren't food. I don't want my parents to spend a ton of money on goodie bags, but the party sized play-doh containers (or something similar) would be a huge hit and are a reasonable cost.
What a rude comment. Those are good ideas. Try to be more constructive in your feedback.
We are a peanut free classroom. We always have kids with food allergies. We wash hands after eating to try to prevent oils from transferring. We have a peanut free table in the lunchroom. So, we are also not allowed to celebrate with any food items except for four parties a year. We do not miss the cupcakes! Our kids get a crown, a sticker, a special calendar piece, and everyone wishes them a happy birthday. They can bring in stickers or pencils for everyone if they want to. Parties are for weekends (I teach kindergarten).
To not take away from teaching time student birthdays are announced at flag ceremony in the morning. students are then given a pencil and little notepad in thier mailbox. We only celebrate a few times a year with a party.
I always found it odd that a child brings in snack for everyone else on thier birthday. I think being recognized at flag ceremony and when you do calendar time is suffient. I will have 30 students in my class a 20 min party for each is a lot of teaching time taken away. Eapecially if the treat is something difficult to deal with, which some of the comments indicated.
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